Faldo Series: Joy for Jacqueline

September 11: National squad member Jacqueline Young created a notable slice of golfing history with her triumph in the Faldo Series Singapore Championship.By clinching victory in the event that was reduced to 36 holes because of unhealthy haze levels, Young wrote her name into the record books as the first female winner of the tournament that was inaugurated in 2006.Following rounds of 75 and 76 over the Raffles Country Club’s Palm Course, Young held a one-stroke advantage heading into the final day.However, with weather conditions forcing organisers to cancel the final round, her pursuers were not given the opportunity to make up ground and Young was declared the champion.In Singapore, the National Environment Agency issues a Pollutant Standards Index [PSI]. When play was cancelled, the three-hour PSI was beyond the 100-mark, which is classified as being ‘unhealthy’.For Young, currently boasting a handicap index of 1.1, victory means she can look forward to making a return trip to Mission Hills China next March to compete in the 10th anniversary edition of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.Young, a member of the Singapore team in last month’s inaugural Asia Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Championship, also qualified for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final last year and placed 12th in the Girls’ Under-16 category.Six-time Major championship winner Faldo, Britain’s most successful golfer, said: “Congratulations to Jacqueline on becoming the first female winner of the Faldo Series Singapore Championship.“It’s an accolade of which she should be proud and one that will hopefully spur her onto improving further.”Joining Young in flying the Singapore flag at Mission Hills next year will be Andre Chong Wei Zer and Erika Layson.Chong, the co-first round leader, won the Boys’ Division while 14-year-old National Development Squad member Layson, a member at Raffles, made the most of home advantage to top the standings in the Girls’ Division.There was disappointment, though, for Tommy Tan Xuan Hao, one of the pre-tournament favourites,Tan, who turned 15 on the second day of the tournament, never recovered from tak-ing a nine at the par-three 12th hole en route to an opening 85. Although he parred the hole on day two, his 36-hole tally of 162 left him languishing in equal eighth place overall.Runners-up in the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions were siblings Nicholas Mok and Nicole Mok.Results from the Faldo Series Singapore Championship, the ninth leg of the 2015-16 Faldo Series Asia season, count for the World Amateur Golf Ranking system.Supported by The R&A and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2015-16 Faldo Series Asia campaign stretches over 11 months and will include a minimum of 21 events in 17 countries including, for the first time, Australia.Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at last year’s Open Championship and US PGA Championship.Faldo Series Singapore Championship, leading final scores: Boys’ Division: 152 – An-dre Chong Wei Zer (74-78). 154 – Nicholas Mok Chee Yong (74-80). 159 – Jordan Tsan (79-80). 160 – Donovan Lee Zhi Peng (81-79). 162 – Tommy Tan Xuan Hao (85-77). Girls’ Di-vision: 151 – Jacqueline Young (75-76). 157 – Erika Layson (79-78). 159 – Nicole Mok Shue Ying (82-77). 162 – Linette Chua Wen Ting (81-81). 169 – Jezreel Tang Sook Mun (80-89).

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